Bayern Munich help imprisoned player Breno

Former Bayern Munich defender Breno was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison in July 2012 for burning down his villa.

The Brazilian looked to have a bright career ahead of him when Bayern signed him from Sao Paulo in 2008.

Breno, pictured here taking on Argentina's Sergio Aguero, was part of Brazil's squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He and he teammates battled their way to a bronze medal in China.

Breno was sent on loan to Nuremberg in 2010, but he sustained a cruciate ligament injury which meant he made just eight appearances for the club.

In July 2012, Breno was convicted of second-degree arson and ordered to serve three-and-a-half years at a correctional facility in Stadelheim.

This week he was back at Bayern. Breno will work with the club's young players while on day release from prison. He will almost certainly face deportation when he is released from prison, according to Bayern president Uli Hoeness, but Breno hopes to rebuild his playing career in Brazil.

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House blaze

Star signing

Brazil's bronze

Injury woes

Sentenced

Bouncing back?

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Incarcerated player Breno to work with Bayern Munich's young players

Breno was sentenced to prison in July 2012 after burning down his own house

The Brazilian defender joined Bayern from Sao Paulo in 2008

Breno hopes to relaunch his player career when he is released from prison

But four years later the defender's career, and his life, had unraveled. In July 2012 he was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for burning down his Munich villa while reportedly battling depression.

"The time in prison has been very hard for me," confessed Breno at a news conference on Monday.

Maxwell picks up the ball after scoring PSG's equalizer in their first Ligue 1 match of the season at Montepellier.

Robben first

Penalty save

Alaba joy

PSG behind

Maxwell saver

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Bayern and PSG open league campaigns

Former Germany international Michael Ballack brought the curtain down on his 17-year playing career with a match in Leipzig on Wednesday night.

A capacity 44,000 crowd attended the game between a World XI and a Germany XI to salute Ballack's career which saw him play for Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Germany, and Chelsea in England.

Former Ukraine international Andriy Shevchenko, who played with Ballack at Chelsea, and Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle, who has been linked with a move to London, celebrate the latter's goal in a match that ended 4-3 to the German XI. Ballack scored a hat-trick.

The World XI was coached by Jose Mourinho, who was Ballack's manager at Chelsea. It was confirmed this week that Mourinho had returned to Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid.

The Germany coach Joachim Low was in attendance, along with tennis legend and Bayern Munich fan Boris Becker.

A host of stars turned out for Ballack's match, who became emotional when he left the field in the 83rd minute as Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' rang round the stadium.

Ballack bids farewell

Ballack bids farewell

Ballack bids farewell

Ballack bids farewell

Ballack bids farewell

Ballack bids farewell

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Ballack bids farewell

A playing career back in Brazil might be the only option for Breno, with Hoeness claiming he will face deportation from Germany on his release from prison.

Breno hasn't played a professional match since coming on as a substitute in Bayern's 5-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on April 17, 2011, but he will be allowed to work on his fitness in conjunction with his coaching duties.

"It means I can train again and maybe play again later on -- that's my dream," said Breno, while Hoeness confirmed, "at the Audi Cup, the people from Sao Paulo confirmed their strong interest in that."

Hoeness assured Breno he will receive Bayern's full backing, despite no long being under contract at the club.

"FC Bayern will do everything it can to help," said Hoeness.

"We've been informed by the prison authorities that he has behaved impeccably and has been an exemplary prisoner. His behavior here will be just as flawless."